Rochdale Borough Council

Automatic extension of planning permission

We've automatically extended all planning permissions which were due to end between 19 August 2020 - 31 December 2020. These planning permissions will now end on 1 May 2021. 

If your planning permission ended before 19 August 2020, you must apply to extend it using the details on this page.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Find out if you need planning permission, how to apply or get advice.

Before you apply for planning permission

Not all work will require planning permission. The owner of the property or land is responsible for complying with the relevant planning rules.

You can also contact us before you apply if you'd like some advice or help with your application.

• Check ​if you need planning permission or building regulation approval​​
• View pre-application planning ​advice and how much it costs
• See what supporting information you'll need to apply - you can view this on our Local List (722kb pdf)

Apply for planning permission

You need to apply for planning permission through the Planning Portal.

Extending the date your planning permission ends

Please email us to apply for Additional Environmental Approval which extends the date your planning permission ends.

In your email, you'll need to include:

• The planning permission your request relates to
• Confirmation you're allowed to make decisions about the planning permission, for example, because you own the land the planning permission relates to
• Information about Environmental Impact Assessments or Habitats Regulation Assessments - see the section below

Deadline to apply: midnight on Wednesday, 2 December 2020.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA)

If your original planning application didn't need an EIA or HRA, please include in your email either:

• A brief explanation of why you still won't need either of these assessments
• Reasons why you think you might one now, along with some information so we can do the screening for this within 28 days

If your original planning application did need an EIA or HRA, please include in your email:

• The assessment or screening and a summary of the key findings
• Information on any mitigation measures you've secured to address the environmental effects of your work and the progress you've made toward delivering these measures
• A report containing an explanation on why you think there have been no changes which would make the  screening or assessment out of date. This could include:
  • An analysis of any further committed development proposals which may affect the results of the assessment and why you think this doesn't make the original assessment out of date
  • A description of any changes to the factual circumstances of the proposed development. For example, a new environmental designation or other changes and an analysis of why you think this doesn't make the original assessment out of date
  • Any relevant information which you think would support the idea that the previous screenings or assessments remain up to date

Site visits for planning permission applications

If a site visit is required:

• We'll ask you if anyone on the site has tested positive for COVID-19, has symptoms or is self-isolating. If this is the case, we won't visit.
• We'll contact you or your agent to let you know what day we'll visit your site. Unfortunately, we can't give you a specific time as our planning officers visit several sites every day.
• Please stay indoors during the site visit but leave any gates unlocked so the planning officer has full external access without having to knock on your door. If you live in a terraced house, the officer will, if possible, gain access from the rear.
• Please don't talk to the planning officer during your site visit unless it's essential. If it is essential, you should follow social distancing guidelines at all times.

What to do if you don't need planning permission

You can apply for a certificate which is a legally binding document that protects all parties and can be relied upon when conducting property searches. There are 2 types of certificates:

• Lawful Development C​ertificate (proposed) - confirms whether or not your proposal requires planning permission. 
• Lawful Development Certificate (existing)  - confirms​  whether or not planning permission was required for work which has taken place.

Apply for a Lawful Development Certifica​​te